Collect vehicle performance with a PDT

1. A mobile device comprising:

a data reader comprising an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, said data reader comprising a wireless communications module in electronic communication with a memory device and processor; and

a vehicle data collection device configured to monitor at least one vehicle performance characteristic;

wherein the data reader comprises a near laser generator that generates a near laser scanning pattern which is directed onto a near target and a far laser generator that generates a far laser scanning pattern which is directed onto a far target wherein the far target is farther away from the data reader than the near target;

wherein said data reader is configured for placing in a vehicle and pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device; and

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

2. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said vehicle data collection device further comprises at least one of the following: a display in the vehicle, a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer; an engine analyzer and a vehicle system analyzer.

3. A mobile device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the monitored at least one vehicle performance characteristic comprises at least one of the following: engine idle time; miles traveled; rollovers; speed; vehicle battery charge; fuel system conditions; ignition system conditions, engine operating conditions; tire air pressure; trailer load conditions; accelerations and decelerations.

4. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the monitored at least one vehicle performance characteristic is logged according to time and date.

5. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the data reader is an optical indicia reader configured to automatically capture continuous or periodic images upon the occurrence of a predetermined vehicle performance characteristic.

6. A mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said alerting mechanism is a recording start signal.

7. A mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein said vehicle data collection device collects location information, and said reader transmits location information to a remote server upon detecting said change.

8. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.

9. A mobile device comprising:

a data reader configured to read data from an information bearing medium;

at least one vehicle data collection device in electronic communication with said data reader;

a memory device; and

a processor;

wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic;

wherein the data reader comprises an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, wherein said data reader is further configured for placing in a vehicle and pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device; and

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

10. A mobile device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the mobile device provides audible and/or visual information alerting a driver of unsafe driving and handling practices.

11. A mobile device according to claim 9 , wherein said alerting mechanism further initiates an audible or visual signal emanating from said data reader.

12. A mobile device according to claim 9 , wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said alerting mechanism is a recording start signal.

13. A mobile device according to claim 9 , wherein said vehicle data collection device collects location information, and said reader transmits location information to a remote server upon detecting said change.

14. A mobile device according to claim 9 , wherein said data reader calculates parameters for adjusting said vehicle data collection device.

15. A mobile device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.

16. A mobile device comprising:

a hand held data reader comprising an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, and configured to be positioned in a stand inside a vehicle during periods when the data reader is not used for reading symbology, said hand held data reader comprising a wireless communications module, a memory device and a processor; and

at least one vehicle data collection device positioned in the vehicle and in electronic communication with said data reader, wherein said data reader is configured for pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device;

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

17. A mobile data reader according to claim 16 , configured to transmit said images via said wireless communications module to a remote server.

18. A mobile data reader according to claim 17 , wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said server alerts said camera to set a focus parameter to the data reader's field of view.

19. A mobile data reader according to claim 16 , wherein said data reader is configured to read either information bearing media in one dimensional or two dimensional symbol indicia during times of reading data.

20. A mobile device in accordance with claim 16 , wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.